[en] Behaviors of atomic defects in graphene sheets in air at high temperature are studied. Results indicate that the number of defects in graphene sheets decreases after high temperature treatment in air. Mechanism for the behaviors are studied by molecular simulations and interpreted as follows. Charge distributions of atoms in graphene sheets are relatively uniform due to large conjugated π bond, but atomic defects in the graphene sheets change the uniform charge distributions. The change of charge distributions makes these defect-regions have higher chemical activities, thus these defect-regions are easy to be eroded selectively by O₂ in air, which makes the number of them decrease. Thus, high temperature treatment in air can be used as a novel method to control atomic defects in graphene sheets. However, in order to obtain the graphene sheets after reactions, two problems should be dealt with: one is sufficient contact between air and graphene sheets during reaction; the other is transfer and enrichment of graphene sheets after reaction. Our method dealt with the two problems.

[en] Highlights: • We examine changes of the anelastic strain by different loading conditions. • We model the anelastic curves by the simplified equation based on viscoelasticity. • Anelastic strain fluctuates as the loading strain rate increases. • The anelastic strain of crystal plane is related to the crystal index. • An anisotropy in recovery behavior concerning lattice plane is discovered. The time-dependent springback and anelastic behavior of AC170PX aluminum alloy were investigated as a function of time, prescribed strains and loading strain rates by uniaxial tensile tests. In order to quantify the effect and infer its basis, the X-ray diffraction tests for the lattice-strain recovery were conducted. The measured anelastic strain accumulated in 10 h increased, as the prescribed strain went up. A non-monotonic behavior, showing a maximum anelastic recoverable strain at an intermediate strain rate followed by onset of a decreasing trend, is observed. The XRD results show the changes of different interplanar spacings in the time-dependent response do not follow the elastic law. There exists an anisotropy in recovery behavior with respect to lattice plane.

[en] Objective: To investigate the incidence of radiation-induced lung injury(RILI) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) after involved-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy, and to figure out the predictive factors for RILI. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-six patients with stage III NSCLC who were treated without surgery in our hospital from January 2007 to December 2011 were enrolled as subjects. All patients received involved-field IMRT with a median dose of 60 Gy (50-70 Gy) in 30 fractions. In all patients,109 patients (42.6%) received concurrent chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 3.0 was used to evaluate the RILI grade. The incidence of grade ≥ 2 RILI (symptomatic RILI, SRILI) within 6 months after radiotherapy served as the end point. The predictive factors for RILI were analyzed using logistic regression model. Results: In all patients, 215(84%) were male, and 41(16%) were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 59.2 years. Forty-three (16.7%) patients had grade ≥ 2 RILI. The mean duration between the incidence of RILI and the beginning of radiotherapy was 64 days (20-169 days). Univariate analysis showed that smoking, peripheral or central tumor location,mean lung dose (MLD) for both lungs, and V₅-V₂₀ for both lungs were suspected to be associated with the development of SRILI (P = 0.108, 0.106, 0.030, 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed the MLD and V₅-V₂₀ for both lungs were independent predictive factors for SRILI P = (0.048). Conclusions: For patients with LA-NSCLC treated with involved-field IMRT, the MLD and the volume of low-dose region in dose volume histogram for both lungs are significantly correlated with the incidence of SRILI. (authors)

[en] Objective: To investigate the anatomical changes and dose variation of rectum during radiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer. Methods: Ten patients with cervical cancer underwent intensity-modulated radiotherapy using online cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) before each fraction. Rectum was contoured on each CBCT and projected onto the planning CT to analyze the changes of the rectal volume and position. The rectal volume receiving ≥ 45 Gy (V₄₅) was evaluated accordingly. Results: 227 CBCT images in 10 patients were collected. The rectal volume changed from (35.0 ± 7.3)cm³ to (97.7±14.7)cm³. The shift of rectal center was (0.14 ±0.06)cm in left and right direction, (0.24±0.10)cm in anterior and posterior direction, and (0.55±0.28)cm in superior and inferior direction. The V₄₅ of rectum varied from (9.19±2.46)% to (60.54 ±11.67)%. In 7 of the 10 patients,rectal volume and V₄₅ of the rectum had significant positive correlation (r =0.582 - 0.743, all P < 0.01). Among the 227 images, the V₄₅ of rectum was ≤50% in 68 images (30.0%). Conclusions: Significant changes in rectal volume and position occurred during fractionated radiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer, which results in variations in the dose rectum received. For most patients, rectal volume and the V₄₅ of rectum had significant positive correlation. (authors)

[en] Objective: To explore the incidence and related predictive factors for acute symptomatic-esophagitis in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 256 patients with inoperable or unresectable stage III NSCLC treated in our hospital between January 2007 and December 2011. The radiotherapy target volume included primary lung cancer and lymphatic drainage area involved, with a median dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions (50-70 Gy). Of all the patients, 109 patients (42.6%) received concurrent chemotherapy. Grade ≥2 acute esophagitis (AE) (symptomatic esophagitis) which occurred during radiotherapy and within 3 months after completion of radiotherapy served as the outcome event. National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0(NCI-CTCAE3.0) was used to evaluate the grade of AE. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the predictive factors. Results: A total of 174 patients (68%) had treatment-related grade ≥ 2 AE; 154 patients (60.2%) had grade 2 AE and 20 patients (7.8%) had grade 3 AE. The median dose when grade ≥ 2 AE occurred was 30 Gy (11-68 Gy). For grade ≥ 2 AE, multivariate analysis showed that esophageal V₅-V₆₀, mean dose, and age were independent predictive factors (P = 0.021, 0, 0.010). For grade ≥ AE, multivariate analysis showed that esophageal V₅-V₆₀, concurrent chemotherapy, and body mass index (BMI) were independent predictive factors (P = 0.010, 0.003, 0.019). Old age and higher BMI were the protective factors for grade ≥ 2 and ≥ 3 AE, respectively. Conclusions: For patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with IMRT, esophageal V₅₀-V₆₀ and concurrent chemotherapy are predictive factors for grade ≥ 3 AE, and esophageal V₅₀ has a high predictive value for both grade ≥ 2 and ≥ 3 AE. (authors)

[en] Highlights: • TEPA modified GO/MnFe₂O₄ nanohybrids were prepared. • Excellent magnetization (44.39 emu g⁻¹) was obtained for easy magnetic recovery. • A remarkable enhancement in adsorption capacity of Pb(II) ions was exhibited. • The adsorption kinetic and adsorption isotherm were investigated. • The mechanisms for Pb(II) removal was illuminated. - Abstract: Novel ternary nanohybrids, consisting of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), graphene oxide (GO) and manganese ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (TEPA-GO/MnFe₂O₄), were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method and utilized to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solution effectively. The adsorbents were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, zeta potential analysis, magnetization hysteresis loop, BET and XPS. These nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behavior as well as high removal efficiency for Pb(II). Moreover, numerous amino groups of the functionalized pendant TEPA on GO coupled with the porous structure of TEPA-GO/MnFe₂O₄ contribute to high Pb(II) adsorption capacity. The maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacity of TEPA-GO/MnFe₂O₄ was determined to be 263.2 mg/g at the optimized solution pH of 5.5, much higher than that of GO/MnFe₂O₄ (133.3 mg/g) and GO (196.1 mg/g). The kinetics and isotherm data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the Pb(II) adsorption of TEPA-GO/MnFe₂O₄ was a endothermic and spontaneous process. The experimental results corroborated that TEPA-GO/MnFe₂O₄ can be efficaciously reused after washed with HCl, indicative of its potential applications in environmental cleanup.

[en] Objective: To evaluate treatment results and prognostic factors of 47 patients with primary urethral transitional cell carcinoma treated with post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods: From October 1998 to October 2008, 47 patients with primary urethral transitional cell carcinoma received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. Thirty-one patients had stage T₃/T₄ disease, 7 had lymph node metastasis. Thirty-nine patients had G3 tumor, 13 had stump-positive. The median radiotherapy dose was 60 Gy (36-64 Gy). 81% patients (38/47) were treated with regional irradiation. Results: The median follow-up time was 21 months (6 -88 months). The follow-up rate was 92%. The median overall survival time was 35 months (5 -88 months). The 2-and 5-year overall survival rates were 57% and 49%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the median overall survival time was better in patients with stage T₁ or T₂ compared with stage T₃ or T₄ tumor (42 months vs. 19 months, χ² =7.28, P=0.007), with age of ≤65 years compared with >65 years (28 mouths vs 18 months,χ² =8.23, P =0.004). There was no significant difference in the long term survival in patients with non-radical surgery compared with radical mastectomy (21 months vs. 20 months, χ² = 0.90, P = 0.344). In multivariate analysis, the stage T₃ or T₄ (χ² = 7.89, P =0.005), >65 years old (χ² = 4.85, P = 0.028), renal pelvis involvement (χ²= 5.65, P = 0.018), and tumor located in the mid or inferior segment (χ²=6.08,P =0.014) were factors associated with poorer prognosis. Conclusions: Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can improve the efficacy of patients with locally advanced urethral transitional cell carcinoma. Advanced T stage and > 65 years age are associated with poorer prognosis. (authors)

[en] Objective: To analyze the efficacy, late complications and prognostic factors of post-operative radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Methods: From Nov. 1999 to Feb. 2005, 114 patients with cervical cancer received adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The median age was 42.5 (24 to 72) years old. According to the FIGO staging system,6,51,18,26 and 13 patients had stage I_a, I_b1, I_b2, II_a and II_b disease. The pathological type was squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, squamous-adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma in 92, 19, 2 and 1 patients, respectively. The whole-pelvic external beam irradiation of 50 Gy (40 to 60 Gy) was given with 6 MV or 15 MV X-ray beams using four-field box technique. Eighty-one patients received intravaginal brachytherapy of 16 Gy (4 -30 Gy in 1 -6 fractions) 4 weeks after the beginning of radiotherapy, with the reference point being at 0.5 cm under the vaginal mucosa. Eighty-seven patients received preoperative and/or concurrent chemotherapy. The survival and independent prognostic factors were analyzed by Log-rank method and Cox model. Results: The median follow-up time was 26.0 (5 - 75) months. The overall survival rate, disease-free sur-rival rate and local control rate were 93.1%, 88.1% and 94.6% at 2-year, and 75.7%, 62.3% and 85.6% at 5-year,respectively. The independent prognostic factors were lymph node metastasis and positive surgical margin for overall survival, positive surgical margin for local control, and stage, uterine body invasion and positive surgical margin for disease-free survival. Sixteen patients (14%) had distant metastasis, and the most common sites were the lung,inguinal region,bone,liver and brain. According to RTOG grading sys-tem, the incidence of late gastrointestinal side effects of grade 1, 2 and 3 was 11.4%, 11.4% and 3.5%. The corresponding genitourinary side effects were 14.0%, 6.1% and 0.9%, respectively. The incidence of leg lymphedema was 7 % . Conclusions: Post - operative radiotherapy can achieve good local control in cervical cancer with acceptable late side effects. Distant metastasis is the main cause of death. (authors)

[en] Objective: To study the efficacy, late complications and prognostic factors of postoperative radiotherapy for bladder cancer. Methods: Between July 1995 and January 2007, 109 patients with primary bladder cancer who had received adjuvant pelvic radiation therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The age ranged from 41 to 94 (median 68) year's. There were 29 patients with T₁ disease, 60 with T₂, 17 with T₃, 3 with T₄, and 7 with positive lymph node. Three-dimensional radiotherapy was given with a median total dose of 49.2 Gy(39.3-62.2 Gy) in conventional fractionation after surgery. Field-in-field intensity modulated radiotherapy was given to 57 patients. Results: The total follow-up rate was 98%, with a median follow up time of 36(2-144) months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year local control rate was 63%, 47% and 42%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rate was 80%, 48% and 37%, respectively. Among the 109 patients, 33 died of tumor progression or metastasis, 42 showed local recurrence, and 22 had lymph node metastasis. According to the RTOG criteria, grade 1,2,3 and 4 radiation related early urological side effects were 22%, 59%, 12% and 1%, respectively; The corresponding late urological side effects were 29%, 28%, 2% and 1%, respectively. Two patients underwent whole bladder cystectomy due to the radiation related side effects. Conclusions: Postoperative three-dimensional radiotherapy, achieving high response rate with tolerable side effects, can be offered as an alternative option to the radical cystectomy in the bladder conserving treatment. (authors)

[en] Objective: To retrospectively analyze the efficacy of postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy for early-stage endometrial carcinoma (EC). Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight patients with early-stage EC who were treated with postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy alone from 2004 to 2013 were enrolled as subjects. According to the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system, 105 patients had stage I_a disease and 53 had stage I_b disease. Most (142/158, 89.9%) patients had the histological subtype of adenocarcinoma. Seventeen patients were pathologically diagnosed with grade 3 disease. Iridium-192 high-dose radiation brachytherapy was applied to the top and upper 1/2 part of the vagina with a reference point at 5 mm depth of vaginal mucosa. The radiation dose was 25-30 Gy in 5-6 factions. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed by log-rank test. The Cox regression model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results: The 5-year sample size was 63. The 5-year overall survival (0S), progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence, and distant metastasis rates in all patients were 97.6%, 91.9%, 2.9%, and 2.8%, respectively. No vaginal recurrence, grade ≥ 3 acute and chronic gastroenteritis, or grade ≥ 3 urethritis were found in those patients. The multivariate analysis showed that lymphovascular space involvement was an independent prognostic predictor of 0S (OR = 0.087, 95% CI = 0.009-0.813, P = 0.032) and PFS (OR = 0.091, 95% CI = 0.018-0.459, P = 0.004). Conclusions: Postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy alone achieves satisfactory treatment outcomes in the treatment of patients with early-stage EC. Lymphovascular space involvement is an important prognostic predictor of 0S and PFS. (authors)